In a new bid to tackle the spiraling gang violence that has gr gripped Haiti since 2021, the United States and Panama have put forward a proposal to transform the current Kenya-led multinational security mission into a much larger force with expanded powers. The plan calls for a 5,550-member “Gang Suppression Force” that would be authorized to detain and arrest gang suspects, marking a major escalation in international efforts to restore stability in the country.
The existing Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission was approved by the United Nations Security Council in October 2023 and placed under the le
adership of Kenya. It was initially expected to deploy 2,500 personnel, but funding shortages and logistical setbacks have hampered its rollout. To date, fewer than 1,000 troops have arrived on the ground since the first Kenyan contingent deployed in June 2024, raising questions about the mission’s ability to deliver meaningful results.
According to a draft resolution obtained by the Associated Press, the expanded mission would run for an initial twelve months in close coordination with Haiti’s transitional government. It would consist o
f 5,500 uniformed police and military personnel along with 50 civilian staff, with funding provided through voluntary contributions from UN member states. While the draft praises Kenya’s leadership, it does not specify which other countries might contribute to the enlarged force.
The proposed mission would carry a broad mandate to conduct intelligence-driven counter-gang operations designed to neutralize, isolate, and deter armed groups that continue to destabilize communities and threaten human rights. In addition to targeting gang activity directly, the force would also be tasked with securing critical infrastructure such as airports, ports, schools, and hospitals, while simultaneously reinforcing the capacity of Haiti’s National Police and armed forces. Another priority would be disrupting the illegal trafficking of weapons and ammunition, a central factor in the rise of gang violence across the country.
The proposal follows a statement from Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea on August 28, 2025, in which she announced Washington’s plan to seek UN approval for a stronger intervention. With the current MSS mandate set to expire on October 2, 2025, members of the Security Council are expected to vote on the new draft by the end of September.
Since 2021, armed gangs have expanded their control over large areas of Port-au-Prince and beyond, forcing thousands of families from their homes, disrupting supply chains, and paralyzing institutions. The violence has left schools and hospitals shuttered, fueled hunger and displacement, and deepened Haiti’s political crisis. The proposed expansion of the mission signals a growing recognition among international actors that a larger, more robust response will be necessary to help restore order and support the country’s fragile institutions.
